“Chrestotes” in Scripture: Greek-Hebrew Kindness Continuity

The Greek word “chrestotes” carries a profound significance in understanding the biblical concept of kindness. Originally, in classical Greek, “chrestotes” meant something useful or suitable. Over time, when applied to people, it evolved to signify goodness, honorableness, mildness, and friendliness. This evolution reveals that kindness is not merely a gentle feeling but a robust, honorable quality that is both practical and relational ([06:33]).

This term appears prominently in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament completed around 300 years before Christ. In this translation, “chrestotes” frequently renders the Hebrew word “tov,” which simply means “good.” This connection is crucial because it demonstrates that the New Testament use of “chrestotes” carries forward the deep Old Testament meaning of God’s goodness ([07:07]).

In the Old Testament, “chrestotes” is often used to describe God’s character. For instance, in Psalms 100, 106, and 136, the phrase “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” employs this Greek word to translate the Hebrew “good.” This usage affirms that the kindness spoken of in the New Testament is rooted in the same goodness that defines God in the Old Testament ([08:27] and [09:06]).

The kindness or goodness attributed to God in the Old Testament encompasses a rich array of qualities. It involves enduring love, faithfulness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, patience, and a heart rich in love. This multifaceted nature of “chrestotes” reveals that God’s kindness is not shallow but a deep and comprehensive expression of His character ([09:47] and [10:28]).

This continuity extends into the New Testament, where “chrestotes” describes God’s kindness as revealed through Jesus Christ, especially in the context of salvation. Passages such as Ephesians 2:4-6 highlight God’s kindness as an integral part of His great love and mercy that brings believers to new life in Christ. This demonstrates that God’s character remains unchanging; the kindness of God in the Old Testament is the same kindness fully revealed in Jesus ([12:28] and [13:07]).

The practical implications of God’s kindness for believers are significant. Because God’s kindness is so rich and deep, the Holy Spirit seeks to cultivate this same quality within believers. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit and reflects God’s own character, which was revealed in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Living out kindness is therefore a direct reflection of the unchanging goodness of God in daily life ([16:44]).

The connection between the Greek word “chrestotes” in the New Testament and its use in the Septuagint translating the Hebrew word for goodness highlights the continuous and unchanging nature of God’s character. His kindness, goodness, mercy, and love flow seamlessly from the Old Testament revelation to the fullness of the New Testament in Christ Jesus. The kindness God extends to humanity is the same kindness He calls believers to embody in their relationships and conduct ([07:07] through [13:07] and [16:44]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Granville Chapel, one of 655 churches in Vancouver, BC